Crystal Dunn has won a World Cup, an Olympic gold medal and three NWSL championships. She has also played just about every position on the soccer field with exceptional results.
She retired from professional soccer Jan. 29, but Dunn, 34, got a proper farewell this month when U.S. Soccer honored her with an official celebration ahead of the U.S. women's national team's friendly against Spain at Audi Field in Washington. There were tears (and sunglasses to keep them from the public), family and friends. There were also 2,000 bobbleheads handed out by U.S. Soccer before the match, an honor reserved for a select group of American sporting legends.
The collectible captured Dunn doing what she does almost as well as playing soccer: dancing.
There is something wonderfully absurd about celebrating the greatest athletes in American history by turning them into tiny, disproportionately large-headed versions of themselves. Some are surprisingly impressive in likeness. Others are so unrecognizable that if it were not for the jersey number it would be impossible to guess whose head is actually bobbling.
The Athletic took this opportunity to rank recent bobblehead giveaways based on resemblance, creativity, personality and overall execution. Bonus points were considered for capturing something uniquely recognizable about the player. Points were deducted if only the nameplate clearly identified the player.
Here are the top 10 from worst to best …
Press is known for her elegance on the field. Her movement, finishing and composure made her one of the most technically accomplished forwards of her generation. Translating that into a bobblehead presents a challenge; it is hard to make a figurine look graceful when its defining feature is a head that wobbles uncontrollably. But that is still not an excuse to give one of USWNT's most talented players such a boring bobblehead.
Verdict:"Send this designer to jail" (not my words; this is from social media comments)
Girma is one of the best defenders in the world, but you would never know it from her bobblehead. In 2024, the San Diego Wave had an opportunity to celebrate a player whose intelligence and confidence make her a commanding presence on the pitch. Instead, we got a generic soccer figurine that could pass for just about anyone with the right jersey.
Where is the personality? The unmistakable Girma smile? Her signature braids? The details that make her, well, Naomi Girma? For a player who has redefined what a world-class center back looks like, this tribute feels remarkably uninspired. Imagine lining up at the gates of Snapdragon to pick one of these up in the heat of the day, then watch the Wave lose to Angel City FC, only to come back home and opening the box later to see this? Total heartbreak can only be sculptured like this.
Verdict:Most-needed redo
Defenders rarely get the spotlight. They do the unglamorous work, organize the back line, make the crucial tackle and then watch a forward collect the headlines. Sauerbrunn spent much of her career being exceptionally good at all of those things. And for her retirement in her hometown St. Louis last year, U.S. Soccer made 2,000 bobbleheads that enhanced her qualities as the "people's captain."
Verdict:Best Hair.
Some players transcend statistics. Tobin Heath is one of them. Her creativity, technical ability and distinctive playing style earned her a devoted following, and any bobblehead bearing her name benefits from that connection.
I love that the figurine had her beautiful smile . But it stopped there. Making a bobblehead that encapsulates the genius and personality of Heath should not be so hard. I was not around to witness her playing days in Portland, but if her recent retirement celebration at Providence Park taught me anything, the designer of her bobblehead could have included a bottle of nutmeg somewhere for the Nutmeg Queen.
Verdict:Best Smile
After a decade with the USWNT, 113 caps, a World Cup title and an Olympic gold, Alyssa Naeher received a well-deserved tribute in her hometown of Hartford, Conn., in November 2025 before the USWNT faced Portugal. Her bobblehead got the essentials right: signature green goalkeeper gloves, one hand raised and a pose that captures her commanding presence between the posts.
Unlike some of her teammates' unfortunate miniature lookalikes, this one is actually recognizable. Sometimes, getting the details right is enough.
Verdict:Best Action Figure
A bobblehead does not have to commemorate a retirement or a World Cup victory. Sometimes it can celebrate the arrival of the next generation.
Midfielder Claire Hutton's bobblehead was made to honor her as a local hero during a Tri-City (Wash.) ValleyCats' game. For a young player still building her international career, a bobblehead from her local baseball team is a rather ambitious piece of memorabilia.
It is also a reminder that the business of women's soccer is changing. This bobblehead was sponsored by Snapple, another sign that brands are increasingly interested in associating themselves with emerging stars rather than waiting until those players become household names.
Verdict:Best Collectible (a prospect with considerable upside. Hold on to this one)
Few players are as instantly recognizable as Alex Morgan. The signature pink hair band, the ponytail, the tea-drinking goal celebration. If you are designing a Morgan bobblehead, you have plenty to work with.
Morgan's retirement bobblehead has an uncanny resemblance to the legend but did not get the top spot due to lack of creativity. Her farewell in September 2024 marked the end of an era for American women's soccer (though her official ceremony and bobblehead giveaway did not come until last year at Subaru Park ahead of the USWNT's friendly against Portugal). Without more personality this one feels like another missed opportunity.
Verdict:Best Resemblance
Gotham FC understood the assignment. For its Queens Classic at Citi Field in July, the club produced 7,500 Rose Lavelle bobbleheads featuring the midfielder in Gotham's Lady Liberty third kit alongside her beloved dog, Wilma Jean. A midfielder capable of finding the back of the net in the most unbelievable instances, Lavelle is also known for her affection for her English bulldog. Including Wilma Jean makes her bobblehead feel personal rather than generic. Bravo!
Verdict:Most Authentic
Crystal Dunn's bobblehead might be the most appropriate representation of her personality. Instead of simply putting her in a soccer uniform with a ball at her feet, U.S. Soccer captured one of her signature dance moves and her smile. After Spain's 2-0 victory over the United States, it was arguably the most cheerful thing some American supporters took home. According to our collectibles editor, four Dunn bobbleheads have sold on eBay for $100, $90, $55 and $125. Pretty pricey!
Verdict:Best Execution
Now this is how you honor a legend .
As Fishlock prepares to retire after 14 seasons with the Seattle Reign, this collectible gets everything right: personality, heritage, club loyalty and even her signature smile. Fishlock is wearing the Reign's 2026 third kit (The Surge Kit) with her iconic No. 10, a number no other player in club history has worn. Her arms are outstretched in celebration, with the captain's armband included. But the real star is the red dragon standing beside her, a brilliant nod to her nickname and international career with Wales. The club gave these bobbleheads to season ticket-holders at their game against North Carolina Courage on Oct. 2, and although they fell to the Courage 1-0, the opportunity to catch one of her last matches and score one of these bobbleheads was likely worth the trouble. Who knew a bobblehead could tell such a good story?
Verdict: Best Overall
This article originally appeared in The Athletic .
US Women's national team, NWSL, Sports Business, Women's Soccer, Culture, Memorabilia & Collectibles, women's sports
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